The mysterious Alamut Castle
Perched on the peaks of Alborz Mountains, in northwestern Iran, Alamut Castle is one of the most famous and mysterious castles in the country. Only ruins remain from the once majestic castle, but its historical importance and the legends around it continue to make this place worth visiting. In this article, you will discover the story of Hassan Sabbah and the Alamut Castle.
There is about 30 percent left of the original structure, which was a 20,000 square-meter fort, the construction of which started in the 9th century, surfiran.com wrote.
Located on top of a hill, the castle has two upper and lower parts, as well as the walls surrounded by precipices. Thanks to its location and architecture, Alamut Castle was known as one of the most impregnable in Iran.
It became famous under Hassan Sabbah’s rule, a member of the Ismailis that led a resistance against the Seljuk dynasty, which was in power at the time in Persia.
Story of the castle
The story of Alamut Castle begins in 891 CE, when an ancient Persian king decided to start the construction of the monument. Two centuries before the reign of Hassan Sabah, this king was on a hunt when he saw a large eagle perched on top of a remote hill. Seeing this as a favorable omen and realizing the strategic value of the location, the king chose to build a castle there and to name it “Alamut,” which can translate into “eagle’s nest”.
It was in 1090 CE when the castle became famous. This was when Hassan Sabbah took the castle to make it the center of the Ismailis.
There are various stories detailing how Hassan Sabbah took the castle. Whichever technique he used, it is said that he took control of the castle without spilling a drop of blood.
Hassan Sabbah made the Alamut Castle the headquarters of the Ismailis and spent the rest of his life there, reading and writing. From Alamut, Hassan Sabbah fomented an open rebellion against the Seljuk dynasty, and his followers took and built several other castles in the region.
Alamut Castle is one of the most popular in Iran, worth visiting for its historical significance and beautiful natural surroundings.
Expect some hiking to reach the fortress, as it is located on top of a hill, with an elevation of about 2,000 meters. It is a moderate hike that requires comfortable shoes. You will have to climb about 400 stairs on an incline of 35 degrees, for about one to two hours, depending on your walking pace.
As it is at a high altitude, the best time of the year to visit Alamut Castle is in late spring and summer. While the view is amazing, the trail is often closed during winter due to heavy snow and reaching the top of the hill at that season requires professional training.